@dirkT85s:I think you are on to something. I checked the trade show calendar of Fira Barcelona and it says that in Montjuïc there is a booking for BMP 29 Oct - 02 Nov 2014. and the Hostelco booking in Gran Via is 20 Oct - 23 Oct and nothing more. So there is room for TEE14 :)That will make the build of the conference area 24-25 Oct with pre-con on the 26:th

Well, the photo is of the main Fira by Plaça d'Espanya, but the conference has only been in held in Fira 2 (or Montjuic Dos as it was then) - although all the coach transport went from the main Fira; more recently it was held at the other end of town at the CCIB

Montjuic has 2 events on that week so it looks like main Fira to me.

Hotel tips - I'd only let on once I booked mine :D However I have in the past booked direct as it was cheaper (and still could be cancelled at no cost) than going through TEE site. Hopefully that'll not be the case this year.

The event will be held at Fira Barcelona in the location where we held TechEd Europe 2001. The convention center has been updated since the event in 2001. Details will be posted to the TechEd Europe website and sent to TechEd Europe newsletter subscribers later. Additionally, watch for registration to open in the spring of 2014.

Until Companies like Microsoft put up a sign, to cities like Barcelona, that says "We will come to your city once you clean up your crime in the streets." they see no reason to do anything about being the number 1 city in the world for pick pockets, and theft of visitor's personal items. Yes its a great city but they have no interest in cleaning up the crime there.

I assume that pick pockets an thieves are available in every city in the world. We have a fair share of them in Stockholm as well. I don't think its Microsoft or any other company's job to sort out social issues like that. The government and local politicians should work on that, and if they need some technical help and tools to organize such things. TechEd is the place for them to go.

As with any larger conference it is always wise to take good care about such things, try to leave the conference bag in the hotel of you want to explore the city.Don't roam around late at night by your self. In crowds keep you valuables in a secure location. Note the number to cancel your credit cards.there are websites with good advice for travelers. I do not believe that Barcelona is different from any other larger city in the world.